Method and system for billing remote calls if made from a primary line

ABSTRACT

A method and system for billing remote calls includes the provisioning of an active terminating attempt trigger on a subscriber&#39;s primary line. To make a long-distance call from a remote location, the subscriber calls a service control node and provide a destination calling line number and the subscriber&#39;s primary line number (e.g., home telephone number). The SCN assembles the data into a string and. includes a feature access code. This string is transmitted to a switch that recognizes the feature access code and transmits a message to a service control point. The service control point also recognizes the feature access code and reassembles the message into a call structure containing the primary line number, the destination line number, and a code indicating that the message should be reassembled. This message is transmitted back to the switch which then routes the call to the primary line switch where the trigger is encountered. The primary line switch then transmits the call information up to an SCP an includes the code. The SCP detects the code and reassembles the data to instruct the switch to route the call to the destination number through the primary line number. The switch routes the call to the destination number and the primary line number is billed for the call.

This application is a continuation and claims the priority of the U.S.patent application Ser. No. 09/139,854 filed on Aug. 25, 1998.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention is directed to billing telephone calls and, moreparticularly, to a method and system for billing telephone calls made bya customer from a remote location as if the call were made from thecustomer's primary (e.g., home) telephone line.

2. Background

When a subscriber of the Public Switched Telephone Network (“PSTN”)desires to make a long-distance telephone call away from his primaryresidence, he has several options: (1) He may dial the call directly;(2) He may use a wireless (e.g., cellular, PCS) telephone; (3) He maycall the customer collect; or (4) He may use a calling card. If thesubscriber dials directly, the call will be billed to the telephone linefrom which the call was placed. This billing situation is usuallyundesirable since it is unfair for the owner of the line to pay theextra costs associated with long distance telephone calls for thesubscriber's benefit. Similarly, collect calls result in a person otherthan the subscriber (in this case, the called party) being billed forlong-distance charges that they did not themselves incur. While wirelesslong-distance telephone calls result in the subscriber being billed, theexpense of such calls usually does not justify their use. Moreover, manyPSTN subscribers simply do not own or lease wireless telephones.Accordingly, the calling card has become the most popular mechanism forremote long-distance telephone calls.

A calling card is little more than a security code issued to asubscriber by a long-distance telephone company. The company issues thecode on a plastic card containing the security code and a toll-freeaccess telephone number. When the subscriber wants to make along-distance telephone call, he dials the toll-free access number whichprompts him for the telephone number and security code (which is often avariation). He then enters both numbers and the company connects thecall. The long-distance telephone company bills the subscriber monthlyfor the long-distance calls made during the previous month.

Unfortunately, calling cards are often inconvenient for the user. Due tothe large number of digits required for completing the call, it isusually impossible to remember both the toll-free number and thesecurity code. The two numbers may include as many as twenty-fourdigits. To alleviate this problem, many calling card companies mayappend a simple four-digit code to the end of the user's telephonenumber. This practice, however, creates additional security concernsshould the card be lost or stolen.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention addresses the problems associated with longdistance telephone calls made from a place other than the caller's home.In particular, the method and the system of the present invention makesremote long distance telephone calls appear as if they originated in thecaller's home. A caller who makes a long distance telephone call fromhis office, for example, may simply call his home number and then dialthe third party's number. The call is routed through his home telephoneline and connected directly to the called party. This is far moreconvenient than the use of a calling card in certain situations.

In particular, the method and system of the present invention provisionsswitches with a terminating attempt (“TAT”) trigger. The trigger causesa switch to pause in processing and obtain additional information from aservice control point (“SCP”). When a subscriber selects this longdistance billing service, the TAT trigger on the subscriber's switch isactivated. The subscriber may then dial a special access number from aremote location, such as his office or cell phone. This call directlyaccesses a service control node (“SCN”) that requests the caller's homephone number and destination phone number. When the caller provides thisinformation, the SCN dials a feature access code and provides thecaller's phone number, the destination number, and the calling partynumber in a message to the switch. The switch detects the feature accesscode and sends a message to an SCP containing the information providedby the SCN. The SCP detects the feature access code and reassembles thedata to replace the calling party field with a special access code. Theredirecting party field of the message is populated with the destinationnumber and the called party number is populated with the caller's hometelephone number. This message is sent back to the switch.

The switch then routes the call to the subscriber's home telephonenumber. The TAT trigger at the switch servicing the subscriber's hometelephone number causes the switch to pause during processing and send amessage to the SCP. The SCP examines the calling party field and seesthe special access code. This causes the SCP to examine the redirectingparty number and use it to instruct the switch on where the call shouldbe routed.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the subscriber specifiesan authorization list of telephone numbers that are authorized to usethe billing service. In addition, rather than dialing the special ALDBnumber. The subscriber dials his home number directly and encounters theTAT trigger. The switch pauses during processing and passes the callingparty number to the SCP. The SCP checks its database to determinewhether the number is an authorized number. If the number is authorized,the SCP instructs the switch to a play a message requesting thedestination telephone number. When the subscriber provides thedestination telephone number, the switch routes the call to the numberspecified by the subscriber. If the number is not authorized, the SCPinstructs the switch to connect the call through to the home number. Inaddition, the subscriber may request that the call go directly throughto the home telephone number.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the subscriber maycreate a destination list containing numbers to which subscribers maycall using the service. Each number in the destination list is linked toa number in the subscriber's authorization list. Thus, multiple partiesin the same household may be routed to different numbers depending upontheir calling location. As in the previous embodiment, a subscriberdials his home telephone number from an authorized number. The SCPdetermines that the caller has called from an authorized number andinstructs the switch to play a message to the subscriber to determinewhether the call should be routed to a number in the destination list ordirectly to the home. If the caller specifies the first option, the callis routed to the number in the destination list corresponding to thenumber contained in the subscriber's authorization list. The call isbilled to the home number.

To prevent fraudulent use of the service, the subscriber may specify anexclusive destination list containing an exclusive list of destinationnumbers. The exclusive destination list may only be changed by thesubscriber and may require additional security information, such as apassword. The list could not be changed otherwise. When the subscriberdials the home telephone number from an authorized number, the switchrecognizes this number and plays a message to the subscriber. Themessage asks the subscriber if he would like to be routed to a number inthe exclusive destination list or routed directly through to the home.When the caller specifies that he would like to be routed to a number inthe exclusive list, the call is routed and the subscriber's home numberis billed.

In another embodiment of the present invention, subscribers may create aspecial password that allows external systems, such as computers, tohave long distance charges billed to the subscriber's home. Thesubscriber provides the calling number of the system to the carrier andthis number is stored. When the system calls the subscriber's home phonenumber, the switch recognizes the calling number and requests thepassword and destination number. The system provides this informationand the system confirms the password. If the password is confirmed, thesystem connects the call to the destination number and the home numberis billed.

The method and system of the present invention may be further automated.by providing service during certain time intervals. The subscriberspecifies certain time intervals during which calls may be billed to thesubscriber's home phone number. This capability may be combined withcapabilities described above, such that only certain calling numbers mayuse the service at the specified times. Thus, this aspect of the presentinvention provides greater security and fraud protection.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide amethod and system for billing long distance telephone calls made from aremote location as if the calls were made from a subscriber's home line.

It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a methodand system for billing long distance telephone calls that is easy touse.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a methodand system for billing long distance telephone calls that is economicalto the subscriber.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a method andsystem for billing long distance telephone calls that is customizable.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a methodand system for billing long distance telephone calls that that may becustomized differently for different individuals within the samehousehold.

It is an additional object. of the present invention to provide a methodand system for billing long distance telephone calls that may be used byexternal systems.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method andsystem for billing long distance telephone calls that includes fraudsafeguards.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth inpart in the description which follows and in part will be obvious fromthe description or may be learned by practice of the invention. Theobjects and advantages of the invention will be realized and attained bymeans of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in theappended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary telecommunications network,according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a network during a long distance telephonecall from a remote location, according to a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 3A is an exemplary ISUP message sent from a service circuit node toa service switching point, according to a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 3B is an exemplary TCAP message sent from a service control pointto a service switching point, according to a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are flow charts illustrating processing that occursduring a long distance telephone call from a remote location.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a telecommunications network, according toanother embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an exclusive list of destination numbers,according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to a preferred embodiment of theinvention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be usedthroughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

The present invention is directed to a method and system forfacilitating the billing of long distance telephone calls. Inparticular, the service allows a subscriber to make long distancetelephone calls from a location other than the subscriber's home withoutthe use of a calling card. Instead, the calls will be billed as if madefrom the subscriber's home. As used herein, the phrase “automatic longdistance billing service” or “ALDB service” refers, generally, to suchbilling services.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary telecommunications network 30,according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Thenetwork 30 is coupled to a public switched telephone network 40. ThePSTN 40 is coupled to a plurality of telephones, including telephones 47a, 47 b. The PSTN 40 includes several Advanced Intelligent Network(“AIN”) elements. For brevity, only a basic explanation of AIN isprovided herein. Where the network 30 operates or is composeddifferently in an important aspect from that which would be understoodby those skilled in the art, additional details are provided herein. Forfurther information regarding AIN technology and aspects thereof, theinterested reader is referred to U.S. Pat. No. 5,430,719, to Weisser,which is incorporated herein by reference.

The network 30 includes a variety of interconnected network elements. Agroup of such network elements includes the plurality of end officeswhich are indicated as service switching points (“SSPs” or “switches”)32 a, 32 b in FIG. 1. An SSP typically includes switch functionality,but also includes other functionality so as to communicate with otherAIN elements as those skilled in the art understand. As furtherillustrated in FIG. 1 the SSPs 32 a, 32 b are coupled to a plurality ofsubscriber lines. A subscriber line may also be referred to as a callingline. Each SSP 32 a, 32 b serves a designated group of calling lines,and thus, the SSP that serves a particular calling line may be referredto as its serving switch. Each calling line is connected typically to apiece of terminating equipment including a plurality of telephones 43a-43 d. Although telephones are illustrated as the terminating equipmentin FIG. 1, those skilled in the art will understand that suchterminating equipment may include other telecommunication devicesincluding, but not limited to, facsimile machines, computers, modems,etc. End offices may further be coupled through a tandem office. Thetandem office is used to connect and switch circuits between and amongother end offices.

Each active calling line in an AIN is assigned a ten digit calling linenumber. In the description of the present invention, the term “callingline number” is used in its generally understood meaning to be thenumber which is dialed or input by a caller or source to reach a pieceof terminating equipment on a calling line associated with the dialedcalling line number. A calling line number is commonly referred to as atelephone number or a directory number.

SSPs 32 a, 32 b are interconnected by a plurality of trunk circuits 53.These are the voice path trunks that interconnect the SSPs to connectcommunications. Each of the SSPs 32 a, 32 b is connected to another typeof AIN element referred to as a local signal transfer point 46 viarespective data links. Currently, these are data links employing asignaling protocol referred to as Signaling System #7 (“SS7), which iswell known to those skilled in the art. Much of the intelligence of theAIN resides in yet another type of AIN element referred to as a localservice control point (“SCP”) 50 that is connected to STP 46 over an SS7data link. Among the functions performed by the SCP 50 is themaintenance of network databases and subscriber databases as representedcollectively by databases 60. These databases may be used in providingtemporary advanced telecommunication services to a customer.

In order to keep the processing of data and calls as simple as possible,a relatively small set of triggers is defined at the SSPs for each call.A trigger in the AIN is an event associated with a particular callingline that generates a packet to be sent to an SCP. The trigger causesthe SCP to query its databases or service package applications forprocessing instructions with respect to the particular call. The resultsare sent back to the SSP in response from the SCP 50 through STP 46. Thereturn packet includes instructions to the SSP as to how to process thecall. The instructions may be to take some special action as a result ofa customized calling service or enhanced feature. In response, the SSPmoves through its call states, collects the called digits, and generatesfurther packets that are used to set up and route the call. Similardevices for routing calls among various local exchange carriers areprovided by regional STP 46 and regional SCP 50.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the network 30 also includes a service circuitnode 56 (“SCN”). SCN 56 includes voice and dual tone multi-frequency(“DTMF”) signal recognition devices and voice synthesis devices. Inaddition, SCN 56 may include a data assembly interface 58 for use inconnection with the present invention. SCN 56 is connected to the localSCP 50 via data link 57 using an X.25 protocol. In addition, SCN 56typically is connected to one or more SSPs via Integrated ServiceDigital Network (“ISDN”) links.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a subscriber mayinitiate a request for ALDB service by placing a call from a deviceassociated with the calling line number to which the service is to beapplied, usually, the subscribers home calling line number. In addition,the subscriber places the call to a special access code to indicate therequest for the billing service. To accommodate these requests foradvanced services, a preferred embodiment of the present inventionprovides for the recognition of a “trigger” at each of the SSPs that areused in connection with the exemplary embodiment. Each of the callinglines that may be used to request billing services at a particular SSPare provisioned with a termination attempt trigger (“TAT”) in an idlestate. When an advanced service, including ALDB service, is to beapplied to a calling line, the SCP 56 provides the appropriate SSP withan instruction to change the state of the TAT trigger for that callingline from the idle state to an active state. The effect of a TAT triggeron a calling line in the active state will be understood to thoseskilled in the art as causing a pause at the SSP serving the callingline in the processing of any communication received on or directed tothe calling line number. The SSP pauses so as to query the SCP andreceive a response with instructions as to further processing of thecommunication. In this manner, the SSP obtains the instructions forapplying the advanced service to the communication. When the service isto be removed from the calling line, then the SCP provides theappropriate SSP with an instruction to change the state of the TATtrigger for that calling line from the active state to the idle state.In the idle state, the TAT trigger does not cause a pause in theprocessing of a communication received on or directed to the callingline number.

Upon receiving a feature code (e.g., *77) from a subscriber, the SCPinstructs the switch to route the call to an SCN for servicing. At theSCN, a transaction is opened and transmitted to the SCP for execution ofa rental agreement between the subscriber and the service provider. Therental agreement specifies information about the service, the callingline, the originating point code, and other subscriber data. Inaddition, the SSP changes the status of the TAT trigger on the callingline associated with the communication from the idle state to the activestate Details regarding the SCP feature code recognition, triggers, andthe rental agreement are discussed in U.S. patent application Ser. No.08/908,068, to Malik, filed Aug. 11, 1997, which is incorporated byreference herein.

With continuing reference to FIG. 1 and now turning to FIG. 2, theexemplary operation of the present invention is described in the contextof a calling party/subscriber placing a call to a called party using theALDB service. The subscriber has previously activated the ALDB servicefrom his home by dialing the feature access code, such that all ALDBcalls will be billed to the subscriber's home. Thus, the dormant TATtrigger originally placed on the subscriber's switch has been activated.In this example, a calling party/subscriber uses his office telephone204 a, which is connected by calling line 205 a (e.g., 770-555-2222)from his office 250 to SSP 220 a. SSP 220 c is provisioned with anactive TAT trigger. The subscriber is placing a call to the called partylocated at a residence or business 214 having a calling line number(e.g. 312-555-7777) associated with telephone 204 b. The called party'stelephone 204 b is connected by line 205 b to SSP 220 b. The subscriberdesires that the call be billed to a calling line 205 c from thesubscriber's home 260. The home 260 may include one or more telephones,including telephone 264 c.

Before placing the call to the called party, the subscriber first dialsa special ALDB service access number. The call is directly routed to theSCN 56. The SCN 56 is programmed to make an inquiry of the desiredcommunication. In particular, the SCN 56 requests the subscriber'sdestination telephone number, the subscriber's home number, (e.g.770-555-4444), and other optional information. For example, the SCN 56may be programmed to request a password created by the subscriber duringactivation of the ALDB service. The subscriber provides the requestedinformation to the SCN using the touch tone keypad found on telephone204 a. The information is sent along to the SCN 56 in an ISDN User Part(“ISUP”) message.

The SCN 56 in turn dials a feature access code as part of a CustomDialing Plan (“CDP”) and provides a string of digits containing callinformation that needs to be corrected. Specifically, the SCN 56 dialsthe feature access code associated with the CDP assigned to outboundlines on the SCN 56. The SSP 220 d detects the feature access code basedupon a CDP trigger. Consequently, the SSP 220 d sends a TransactionCapabilities Application Part (“TCAP”) message containing the featureaccess code and additional appended digits in the data string to the SCP50.

The string of appended digits represents information about how the callis to be configured. The feature access code and string of data areprovided by a data assembly interface 63. The data assembly interface 63is a software program located within the SCN 56 and designed forassembling blocks of information or data. The data assembly interface 63assembles the information obtained from the subscriber and the recordsof the subscriber in a special format for automatic transmission to theSCP 50. This data is then populated in the TCAP message.

FIG. 3A is a block diagram of an exemplary ISUP message string 300transmitted by the SCN 56 to the SSP 220 d. The ISUP message may includeadditional data as well. The message string 300 includes several fields.A Feature Access Code field 310 contains a two-digit feature access code(e.g., “*7”). The feature access code includes a CDP trigger, which isassigned to the outbound lines of the SCN 56, for involving an SCP inthe call processing. A Redirecting Party Number field 320 contains theultimate destination number provided by the subscriber when sheoriginally dialed the ALDB number. The Calling Party Number field 330contains the calling party number of the calling line 205 a thatoriginated the ALDB call. The Subscriber Number field 340 contains thesubscriber's home telephone number. The SCN 56 assembles each of thesefields into the single string 300.

As discussed above, the feature access code and string are sent alongwith the communication in the switch SSP 220 d. The feature access codeis recognized by SSP 220 d as an indicator of the special status of thecommunication. More particularly, the feature access code typicallytriggers the switch to pause in the processing of the call and to obtainfurther instructions from other network elements, such as the SCP 50.The SCN's call to the feature access code is received in SSP 220 d,which pauses in the processing of the communication to requestinstructions from the SCP 50. As part of the SSP's query to the SCP 50for processing instructions, the SSP 220 d provides the SCP 50 withinformation relating to the communication. In particular, the SSP 32 aprovides the SCP 50 with communication information including the featureaccess code and the string.

In response to receiving the communication information and theidentification information from the SSP 32 a, the SCP 50 carries outcertain functions. In particular, the SCP 50 recognizes the featureaccess code as indicative that the communication contains a string ofdata that the SCP 50 must process. The SCP 50 is responsible forreformatting the call data so that the billing information is ascribedto the calling party's home number. The SCP 50 checks its database 50for information on how to handle the string of data. More particularly,as instructed by the feature access code, the SCP accesses a table inthe database. The table provides instructions to the SCP 50 as to how tohandle the data, and based on the information obtained, the SCP 50reassembles this string of data. The SCP 50 then instructs the SSP 220d, in a response message, to route the call with the followinginstructions: (1) The calling party parameter is set to a special ALDBcode; (2) The called party parameter is set to the home number of thesubscriber; and (3) The redirecting party parameter is set to thedestination number. The ALDB code instructs the SCP (during a returnroute) to treat the call in a different manner than other calls. FIG. 3Bis a block diagram of a portion of an exemplary TCAP message transmittedby the SCP 50 back to the SSP 220 d. The TCAP message may includeadditional data as well. As shown, the calling party number field 330contains the special ALDB code (e.g., “8888888888”). The redirectingparty parameter contains the destination number. The called partyparameter contains the subscriber's home number.

Based on the instructions provided by the SCP 50 in the return TCAPmessage, the call is routed to SSP 220 c with the fields populated asindicated. Once the call is routed to SSP 220 c, the original TATtrigger provisioned on SSP 220 c by the subscriber is encountered. Dueto the TAT trigger, the switch pauses in the processing of the call andobtains further instructions from other network elements. Specifically,the SSP 220 c pauses in the processing of the communication to requestinstructions from SCP 50. The SSP 220 c provides the SCP 50 withinformation relating to the communication as a part of the SSP's queryto the SCP 50, as well as routing information. The SCP 50 evaluates thecall data and denotes that the calling party number field 330 of theTCAP message is the ALDB code and that the data must be manipulated toroute the call. The SCP 50 examines the redirecting party to determinewhere the call should be routed. The SCP 50 then provides instructionsto the SSP 220 c to route the call. The calling party parameter is setto the subscriber's home number; and the Route Call To number is set tothe redirecting party number received (i.e., the destination number).

When the SSP 220 c receives these parameters, billing for the call isautomatically charged to the subscriber's home number. The call isrouted from the SSP 220 c to an SSP 220 b based on the called partynumber in the conventional manner.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are flow charts illustrating an example of a subscribermaking an ALDB call to a third party from his office. These figuresassume that the caller has already established service with the localexchange carrier and that a record has been created for the subscriber.This discussion further assumes that a dormant TAT line placed on theSSP serving the subscriber's home has been activated by the LEC. In step402, the caller dials the ALDB number. This call is actually a call tothe LEC's SCN. The SCN is programmed, in step 404, to request the user'shome telephone number and the number of the party that he's calling. Inaddition, the SCN may request an optional password. The user enters thehome telephone number (e.g., 770-555-4444) and the called party'snumber. In step 406, the SCN dials a feature access code (e.g., “*7”) toalert the SSP that the string should be sent to the SCP.

The feature access code (“*7”) is detected by the SSP. Thus, in step408, the SSP forwards the call and associated string in a TCAP messageto the SCP for call processing. In step 410, the SCP recognizes thefeature access code in the calling party field and reassembles thestring of data by inserting an ALDB code as the calling party field,setting the called party parameter equal to the subscriber's homenumber, and setting the redirecting party parameter equal to thedestination number. In step 412, the call is routed to the SSP servingthe customer's home line. As stated above, this SSP is provisioned witha TAT trigger. When the TAT trigger is encountered, in step 414, the SSPreceives the call data as described above. The TAT trigger causes theSSP, in step 416, to send a TCAP message to the SCP for furtherprocessing. The SCP recognizes the ALDB code and reassembles the data,such that the calling party parameter is set to the subscriber's homenumber and the called party parameter is set to the redirecting number(i.e., the destination number). In step 418, the SSP routes the call tothe destination number and the subscriber's home number is billed.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a more automated methodfor providing ALDB service allows subscribers to select a list of phonenumbers from which ALDB service is available. More particularly, duringservice establishment, the subscriber provides the ALDB carrier with alist of calling line numbers. These calling line numbers correspond tolocations from which the subscriber may make a long distance call withbilling to his home. For instance, a subscriber may select his officephone and a cellular/PCS telephone. These calling line numbers arestored in SCP databases.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a telephone network 20, according to thesecond embodiment of the present invention. Rather than dialing the SCN,the caller dials his home number directly. The TAT trigger provisionedon the switch 220 c for the home line causes the switch to pause duringprocessing and request further instructions from the SCP 50. The SCP 50searches its associated databases 60 to determine whether the callingparty number is an authorized number. If the calling party number isauthorized, the SCP 50 instructs the switch 220 c to play a recordedannouncement requesting the destination number. The subscriber providesthe destination number to the switch which, in turn, transmits thisinformation to the SCP. If the calling party number is not authorized,the SCP 50 instructs the switch 220 c to connect the call directly tothe home line.

In addition to selected calling line numbers, the subscriber may selecta group of destination numbers corresponding to frequently-dialed longdistance telephone numbers. The subscriber selects these numbers duringservice initiation. For example, a subscriber may select destinationtelephone numbers of his mother, his sister, and his brother. Thesenumbers are stored in the SCP databases as a destination list. To createa particular destination number from a destination list, the subscriberdials a feature code (e.g. *55) from his home. The feature code causesthe SCN to prompt the subscriber for a destination number from the list.The SCN may ask the subscriber to dial a single digit number. thatcorresponds to a particular destination number. Once the subscriber hasselected the destination number, the SCP database uses a pointer orsimilar method to point to a particular destination number within thedestination list of the caller. When the caller dials his home numberfrom an authorized calling line number, the call is stopped by theswitch. The switch queries the SCP for further instructions and providesthe calling line number. The SCP checks the database for. the callingline number. The calling line number will correspond to anauthorization/destination list. The SCP will instruct the switch toroute the call to the destination number pointed to in the caller'sdestination list.

Multiple authorization lists and destination lists may be created for asingle household. Thus, for instance, a husband and wife may createseparate authorization/destination lists. The lists are separated bypasswords for each individual. Both individuals establish separate listsat service initiation. Specifically, at service initiation, the SCPstores authorization and destination tables in its associated databases.When one of the individuals dials a feature code, the SCN prompts thesubscriber for a password and a destination number from the list. TheSCN may ask the subscriber to dial a single digit number thatcorresponds to a particular destination number. Once the subscriber hasselected the destination number, the SCP database uses a pointer orsimilar method to point to a particular destination number within thedestination list of the caller. Next, when that caller (i.e., the callerhaving access privileges to that authorization/destination list) dialsher home number from an authorized calling line number, the calling linenumber will be used by the SCP to determine the proper authorizationlist/destination list. The destination number selected by the user willbe retrieved by the SCP. The SCP will provide that number to the switchand the call will be connected. When another user calls home, adifferent authorization/destination list will be retrieved. Accordingly,another destination number will be selected from the list.

While the use of multiple authorization lists and destination listslimit the number of origination and destination telephone numbers,unauthorized or fraudulent use of this service may still occur. Forinstance, a subscriber may establish an authorization list for himself.The subscribers child may later make a call to the home from anauthorized calling line number. Similarly, a subscriber may have aroommate with access to the authorized calling line. The roommate couldthen dial the home number to dial other long distance numbers.

To prevent fraudulent use, the present inventions may allow subscribersto establish an “exclusive list,” 600 as shown in FIG. 6. The exclusivelist 600 contains a group of exclusive telephone numbers that may beaccessed using the method and systems described above. Unlike thedestination list, the exclusive list is not linked to a particularauthorization list. Instead, the exclusive list 600 contains a list ofthe only phone numbers that may be accessed by the service. For example,a family may set up an exclusive list 700 as shown in FIG. 6. The list700 includes the telephone number of the family's out-of-town vacationcabin in field 610. If the parents decide to visit the cabin, theparent's teenage children could remotely call the parents by dialing thespecial ALDB number, as described above. Alternatively, the childrencould simply dial their home telephone number and get automaticallyrouted to the cabin telephone number, as described above. The childrencould not, however, use the service to call friends in anotherlong-distance location. Additional safety could be provided through theuse of a password. Thus, for instance, the parents may provide theirchildren with a password to be entered when dialing the service. Thepassword may be changed by the subscriber at any time. To providefurther protection, modifications to the password and exclusion list maybe limited depending upon the subscriber's location. For example, theservice may require that the subscriber perform such modifications onlyfrom her home.

The present invention may also allow automated services and systems suchas voicemail and personal computers, to bill long distance calls to athird party number. During set up, the subscriber provides the callingline numbers for lines to which such systems and/or components (e.g., amodem) are attached. The SCP of the present invention stores thetelephone numbers and a corresponding password provided by thesubscriber when the system dials the ALDB service number or the homenumber, as described above, the ALDB service prompts the system for thepassword and the destination telephone number. The ALDB service receivesthe digits and proceeds to bill the call to the home phone. To preventthe system from accessing the service, the subscriber may change thepassword with the ALDB service.

Additional controls may be placed on the ALDB service to limit the datewhen calls may be made, the time of day of calls may be made, and thenumber of calls that may be made within specified time periods. A datelimitation would allow ALDB calls to be made on certain days only. Forinstance, a subscriber may realize that she will be working aninordinate number of hours from her office over a three-day period. Thesubscriber would specify three dates for using the ALDB service. Eachtime, the caller dials the ALDB service number or her home number, theSCP checks the date of the call with the date stored in memory. If theparameters match, the call will be connected. Alternatively, the switchmay use an internal timer that begins running at midnight (or anotherspecified time) of the first date specified by the subscriber. While thetimer is active, ALDB calls may be made. Once the timer has expired, nomore ALDB calls will be allowed.

Similarly, specific time periods for using the service may be requestedby the subscriber. For example, a subscriber's going out of town mayleave his child with a friend. While he is out of town, however, hewould like for his child to be able to reach him (without the friendbeing billed). Accordingly, the subscriber may dial a special numberthat will prompt him for the applicable time period for this use. Inaddition, the subscriber may select a password for the child to useduring-this limited period. The SCP stores the time period and thepassword. When the subscriber's child calls into the system, the systemprompts the child for the password and destination number. The systemthen checks the current time with the authorized time periods specifiedby the subscriber. If the call is made within the specified time, it isallowed to pass through. Otherwise, the caller is informed that the callis unauthorized and the call is disconnected.

The number of ALDB calls may also be limited. The SCP may include logicfor tracking the number of calls made by a particular subscriber. Thesubscriber specifies the desired number of calls and the SCP stores thisnumber. As calls are made, the SCP subtracts from the total number untilthe total is equal to zero. When the total is equal to zero, calls arenot permitted to pass through the system. The subscriber may then call aspecial number to order additional calls.

As an alternative to the methods described above, the service providermay provide separate access to a particular switch within the network.The switch is provisioned with an active TAT trigger by the localservice provider. When a subscriber calls the switch, the TAT triggercauses the switch to send a query to the SCP for additional information.The switch provides the SCP with the calling line number. The SCPinstructs the switch to play a message requesting the caller's homenumber and a password.

Having thus described a preferred embodiment of a method and system forautomatically billing long-distance telephone calls as if they were madefrom a home number, it should be apparent to those skilled in the artthat certain advantages have been achieved. It should also beappreciated that various modifications, adaptations, and alternativeembodiments thereof, may be made within the scope and spirit of thepresent invention. The invention is further defined by the followingclaims:

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for billing for a communication betweena selected number and a destination number as if the communication weremade from a predetermined calling line number, the method comprisingstoring at least an authorized number; receiving information related toa communication from a selected number and directed to a predeterminedcalling line number, the information including the selected number andthe predetermined calling line number; comparing the selected number tothe authorized number; if the selected number compares to the authorizednumber, then obtaining a destination number for the communication, androuting the communication to the destination number; and billing thecommunication to the predetermined calling line number.
 2. The methodfor billing for a communication, as recited in claim 1, furthercomprising: storing at least an authorized destination number; comparingthe destination number to the authorized destination number; and routingthe communication to the destination number if the destination numbercompares to the authorized destination number.
 3. The method for billingfor a communication, as recited in claim 2, further comprising: storingthe authorized destination number in an exclusive list of destinationnumbers; and receiving a password before altering the exclusive list ofdestination numbers.
 4. The method for billing for a communication, asrecited in claim 2, further comprising: storing one or more authorizeddates for communications from the selected number; determining a date ofthe communication; comparing the date of the communication to the one ormore authorized dates; and routing the communication to the destinationnumber if the date of the communication matches the one or moreauthorized dates for communications from the selected number.
 5. Themethod for billing for a communication, as recited in claim 2, furthercomprising: storing one or more authorized time periods forcommunications from the selected number; determining a time of thecommunication; comparing the time of the communication to the one ormore authorized time periods; and routing the communication to thedestination number if the time of the communication falls within the oneor more authorized time periods for communications from the selectednumber.
 6. The method for billing for a communication, as recited inclaim 2, further comprising storing a number of communications allowedto be billed to the predetermined calling line number; keeping a currentcount of the number of communications corresponding to the predeterminedcalling line number; comparing the current count of communications tothe number of communications allowed to be billed to the predeterminedcalling line number; and routing the communication to the destinationnumber if the current count is less than or equal to the number ofallowable communications.
 7. A method for charging a call, comprising:receiving a call originating from a selected number and directed to apreselected number; finding the selected number to be associated withthe preselected number; obtaining a destination number from the call;routing the call to the destination number; and billing cost of the callto an account of the preselected number.
 8. The method of claim 7wherein receiving the call comprises receiving the call at a switchserving the preselected number.
 9. The method of claim 7 wherein findingthe selected number to be associated with the preselected numbercomprises finding the selected number to be associated with at least anauthorized number associated with the preselected number.
 10. The methodof claim 7 further comprising: storing the authorized number inassociation with the preselected number.
 11. The method of claim 7,further comprising: after obtaining the destination number from thecall, checking if the destination number is an authorized destinationnumber; and if the destination number is the authorized destinationnumber, then routing the call to the destination number.
 12. The methodof claim 11, further comprising: storing the authorized destinationnumber in associated with the preselected number.
 13. A method forbilling cost of a call, comprising: routing a call received from anoriginating number to a switch serving the dialed number; withoutterminating the call to the dialed number, causing the switch to checkif the call is to be accorded a billing service; if the call is to beaccorded the billing service, then obtaining a terminating number forfurther routing of the call, then further routing the call to theterminating number, and billing cost of the call to the dialed number.14. The method of claim 13, wherein the causing the switch to check ifthe call is to be accorded the billing service comprises checking if thedialed number is associated with the originating number; and if thedialed number is associated with the originating number, thendetermining the call is to be accorded the billing service.